What Industry Associations Are Doing To Make Horticulture Sexy

If you are a member of the horticulture industry and you read the Philly.com article, “Is horticulture a withering field?”, you know the time is ripe for a discussion on attracting young people to the industry.

To this end, six industry associations are leading a National Promotion of Horticulture, including the American Society for Horticultural Science, Longwood Gardens, the American Public Gardens Association, the American Horticultural Society, the National Junior Horticultural Association Foundation and AmericanHort.

The national study and action plan aims to amplify the perception and awareness of the profession, to fill the critical need the horticulture industry has now for qualified young people to enter horticultural careers. The founding associations are asking for broad support and awareness of this initiative.

“We all know the importance of horticulture for people and the environment: healthy plants for food, beauty, sports and relaxation, horticultural practices that ease the world’s environmental challenges; and the joy and wonder of growing, nurturing and learning the science of plants,” stated the group of associations in a letter calling for endorsement of the promotion. “We believe horticulture needs attention: an education plan, an advocacy campaign and a marketing plan.”

The plan will include a few years worth of work and is expected to launch by Spring 2017, according to the document, “Promoting Horticulture in the United States – A National Study And Action Plan.” You can read the full whitepaper. For more information or to pledge your support to this effort, contact Mary Meyer, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, phone 952-443-1447 email [email protected]

Promoting Horticulture In The United States

The Issue

Today our world is highly dependent on horticultural expertise to provide the technology and people necessary to meet the rapidly increasing global demand for fruits, vegetables, nuts, herbs and ornamentals in the face of the changing global environment and limited natural and financial resources. Horticultural science is critical in improving the nutritional content of food, enhancing the safety of our produce supply and increasing the supply of healthy, local and sustainably produced foods. Expertise in environmental horticulture is necessary to address the global issues of climate change; water quality, availability, stormwater runoff and retention; and energy production through biofuels. Additionally, the role that horticulture plays in promoting positive mental well-being, on a large scale from public botanic gardens, parks and sports fields, to small scale individual home gardens is critical to our life today.

Unfortunately, horticulture is under siege. We are concerned that, for those aware of horticulture, the perception is increasingly negative, while much of the general public, especially young people, appear to have little or no awareness of the importance and value of horticulturei, ii. This has resulted in a loss of influence among governmental agencies at various levels and a reduction in students considering horticulture as a career. These changes have occurred despite the increasing value of commercial horticulture crops and services. Interesting, challenging and impactful careers are available in horticulture at all levels, and there is an increasing need for well-trained and educated students.

One solution to these problems is to increase public awareness of the positive attributes of horticulture, especially in regard to educators, public service workers, students with an aptitude for plant science or for artistic expression through plant materials and the general public. This task will require a concerted and coordinated effort on the part of all those with a direct effort in horticulture, including industry, associations, public botanic gardens, elementary and secondary schools, colleges, universities and governmental agencies.

We propose a first step of assessing the breadth and depth of public awareness of horticulture and horticulture education through a national study that would determine:

Perceptions of horticulture

Perceptions of horticulture education, specifically high school and youth horticulture programs, e.g. NJHA, JMG, 4H and FFA; and university horticulture programs.

Each of the following groups would be included in the studies:

Youth (K-12) in the general public

Adults in the general public

Industry and industry associations

Public gardens

Governmental agencies

Educators

This national analysis would develop recommendations and implementation steps such as:

Marketing plan for universities and colleges to reach potential students, specifically providing an index of imagery, words and phrases needed to attract students into 2- and 4-year university horticulture programs. (phase 1)

Marketing plan to promote horticulture to the general public (youth and adults). (phase 2a)

Education plan to recommend the processes by which horticulture is integrated into STEM/STEAM learning initiatives, Next Generation Science Standards, and the Common Core and the venues through which educators will access curriculum and training. (phase 2b)

Anticipated Outcomes from a national study and its implementation:

Improve public perceptions of horticulture

Develpo tactics to ensure that horticulture is part of the national education curriculum

Increase youth participation in NJHA, JMG, 4-H and FFA

Increase number of high school students in horticulture and plant sciences programs

Increase number of horticulture students in 2-year and 4-year college and university programs

Increase number of well-trained horticulture employees

Timeline

October 2013 – Complete summary and overview of project.

November 2013 – Contact potential endorsing partners asking for support of the project.

December 2013 – Finalize a request for proposals (RFP) to be sent to appropriate marketing/research companies. Proposal should have specific phases to allow funding and implementation over time.

January 2014 – Send out RFP.

March 2014 – Receive proposals for review: work with ASHS and Longwood to select vendor.

i ASHS September 2013 survey of members found the most important issue with students’ selection of horticulture for a career was lack of knowledge and awareness of horticulture and horticultural careers. Meyer, M.H. 2013. Horticulture Career Survey: What You Said. ASHS Newsletter Vol. 29 (9): 3-4.

ii A study of 203 prospective college students found respondents have a limited knowledge of the wide range of options available to them for study beyond “agriculture.” Morehouse, B. and D. Nelson. 2007. Study of Prospective Students Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo: Horticulture and Crop Science Department. Stamats, Inc.

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